I Read, Therefore I Blog

The Blurb On The Back:

Tamzin Pook is a fighter in the Amusement Arcade, where she does battle with Revenants - reanimated brains within armoured engine bodies - and is never sure whether she’ll survive another day.

In the wheeled city of Thorbury, a rebel faction has brutally seized control and it will take someone skilled at fighting Revenants to save the day … Enter Tamzin.

Along with an oddball gang of mercenaries and a teacher named Miss Torpenhow, she must outwit a pair of assassins to secure a peaceful future.

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The Verdict:

Philip Reeve’s standalone adventure set in his MORTAL ENGINES universe for readers aged 12+ is a thrilling story of friendship, belonging and what it means to be a hero. Although Tamzin and Miss Torpenhow are the main characters, this is very much an ensemble piece that explores the geography of the Traction Cities’ world at a breakneck pace. Although this is a standalone story, there is scope here for a sequel, which I would definitely read.

THUNDER CITY was released in the United Kingdom on 26 September 2024. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Oliver grew up in a family of explorers – but his biggest adventure is about to begin!

Along with his new friends – a grumpy old albatross, a short-sighted mermaid and a friendly island called Cliff – Oliver goes off in search of his missing parents. But before he can put his rescue plan into actin, there’s the evil Stacey de Lacey and an army of greasy, green sea monkeys to contend with …

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre’s illustrated novel for children aged 7+ is an absolute delight from beginning to end. Brilliantly illustrated, it’s an engaging tale of friendship, adventure and the importance of home with engaging characters, sly humour and a truly horrible villain in the form of the awful Stacey de Lacey. I came away from the book really wanting my own sea monkey and I suspect a lot of readers will too …

OLIVER AND THE SEAWIGS was released in the United Kingdom on 5th September 2013. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the free copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Wren is desperate to escape.

She’ll do anything to get out of Anchorage – and her new friends are only too willing to help.

But before long, she’ll find herself a captive, then a slave, and finally the bait that leads Tom and Hester back into perilous waters ...

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Although not quite as good as Mortal Engines or Predator’s Gold, this is still a thoroughly entertaining read with a scope of imagination that is breathtaking and an emotional climax that had me desperate to read the next book.

The Blurb On The Back:

London is hunting its prey.

For too long, London has been hiding in the hills, safe from bigger, faster, HUNGRIER cities. Now London must feed.

But as the chase begins, events within the walls take a sinister turn ...

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Despite the technical flaws in the writing, this is a brilliant novel and I loved it. Go and buy a copy now.